Thorpdale's focus is on youth
Competitiveness and improvement will be the key focus for Hill End and Thorpdale's netball teams as they head into the 2026 season.
Following a bottom of the ladder finish last year, Thorpdale has been given approval by the Mid Gippsland league to not enter an A grade team this year, which will give the club an opportunity to focus more on development of its younger players, that for the first time in many years will enable a full card of junior teams.
Hill End will field a full list of teams for 2026 with four senior teams from A to D grades and three junior teams in under 17s, 15s and 13s.
Hill End
A grade coach: Kellie Orgill
Being competitive each week will be the main focus of new coach Kellie Orgill and her A grade team this season.
After finishing 12th on the ladder in 2025, a new look A grade line-up is hoping to bring great improvement to the court and weekly results.
Kellie wants to see the team's skill base grow and improve as a team to ensure Hill End is more competitive on court in 2026.
"With a young talented group of netballers, I am confident we can end the year closer to the top of the ladder than the bottom," she said.
The new look line-up includes a number of new players in the green and gold and some Hill End regulars who are securing their place in the A grade team.
After six seasons at Gippsland Storm elite netball development club, with multiple premierships and best and fairest honours to her name, as well as representing Gippsland Stars in 2026 in the VNL reserves, Courtney McWhinney will be a welcomed permanent player at Hill End this year.
Expanding the charge of new players will be Alesha Hallinan who is set to bring her knowledge, experience and leadership from Trafalgar into the Hill's line-up.
Adding strength to the team will be Moe players Kaelee Paltridge and Elly Brown while Meg O'Rielly is making the move from Newborough.
From within the club, Sarah Orton has climbed the ranks to secure a place in the A grade.
The players out of the A grade team are playing in B grade but training hard to earn their place back in the A grade side any chance they have.
Kellie said she was excited to be watching Sarah and Kaelee in the defensive line-up describing their consistency and strength to create intercepts as outstanding, while Courtney would bring her knowledge and experience into the shooting circle.
Strong and consistent mid-courter Ava Robinson has been identified as a rising star of the club, progressing from the junior ranks in 2025 to senior netball this year.
Thorpdale
Head coach: Laura Whitney
While not fielding an A grade team this season, the club is proud that, for the first time in several years, it will be fielding under 13, under 15, and under 17 teams.
Thorpdale's junior players co-ordinator Jorjie-Belle Platschinda has dedicated the past nine months to building junior numbers, and her hard work has paid off.
She is working closely with junior coaches on teamwork drills and skill development to support strong foundations across all junior levels.
Netball co-ordinator Maree Carpinteri said as a club "we are focusing on developing the talent we have and strengthening our pathway from junior grades upward."
"With this in mind, we are prioritising building player skills and depth with the aim of fielding a strong B grade team led by our head coach Laura Whitney in the 2026 season.
"This progress reflects the commitment and teamwork of all coaches, volunteers, and players involved. It's a great achievement and a positive step for the future of Thorpdale Football Netball Club," she said.
